Former President Bill Clinton is facing criticism for defending Israel’s military actions in Gaza during a campaign speech in Michigan. Clinton made these comments while supporting Vice President Kamala Harris. Michigan, a key swing state, has one of the largest Arab American and Palestinian communities in the US.
Speech sparks backlash
Clinton’s remarks came at a campaign rally in Muskegon. Addressing concerns from Arab American voters about the Biden administration’s stance on Gaza, Clinton said it would be a “mistake” for them not to support Harris. He added, “I understand why young Palestinian and Arab Americans in Michigan think too many people have died. But if you lived in one of those kibbutzim in Israel, right next to Gaza, where the people were the most pro-friendship with Palestine, most pro-two-state solution… and Hamas butchered them.”
Referring to recent conflict
Clinton was referencing the escalation that began on 7 October 2023, when Hamas attacked southern Israel. The attack killed 1,200 people and took around 250 hostages. In response, Israel launched military operations in Gaza, resulting in more than 43,000 Palestinian deaths. Experts believe the real number may be even higher.
Criticism over remarks
Critics argue that Clinton’s comments overlooked the disproportionate number of casualties and the collective punishment faced by Palestinians. Clinton defended Israel’s military actions, claiming they were necessary due to Hamas using civilians as human shields. However, reports have accused Israel of using similar tactics.
Clinton said, “What would you do if it was your family and you hadn’t done anything but support a homeland for Palestinians? And one day they come for you and slaughter the people in your village?” Critics point out that this description also reflects the current experience of many Palestinian families.
Accusations of bias
Clinton’s comments have been labelled as aligning with right-wing Israeli rhetoric that equates all Palestinians with Hamas. He also claimed that Israelis lived on the land “before their faith existed,” which some historians have criticised as inaccurate. Palestinians are a diverse group, descended from native Canaanites who have lived in the region for thousands of years.
The Institute for Middle East Understanding responded, “Bill Clinton’s remarks were meant to justify the removal of Palestinians from their land. This rhetoric harms the Harris campaign.”
Reactions from local leaders
Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud expressed frustration, stating, “Stop sending surrogates who have no respect for this community. You’re only causing more harm.” The Harris campaign has not commented on Clinton’s remarks or their potential impact on Arab American voters.
The Biden-Harris administration has faced calls to impose an arms embargo on Israel but has maintained military support. The State Department has received nearly 500 reports of excessive civilian harm from US-supplied weapons, according to The Washington Post.
Journalist Mehdi Hasan summed up the sentiment, posting, “Whether or not they end up losing Michigan, at this point Dems deserve to lose Michigan.”
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